I would like to express my gratitude for Katie and her teachers that have been. Great during Covid. They offered video sessions via Zoom at first and when conditions opened up and improved during Covid-19, they began to offer outdoor classes. These classes were safe and in the backyard parking lot do the studio. The classes are flexible, affordable and well run. Not only this but Katie has apparently been around many years and is a staple in the le Cerrito community. I have other parent friends who went to her class as children 20+ years ago. read more

Katie's Dance Studio & Company - Studio during Covid 6ft apart - Dance Studios Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Both my kids dance at Katie's, and I am forever grateful to Kelsy bringing my oldest out of her shell a bit. She has always been interested in dancing, and Katie and Kelsy have been encouraging and nurturing while maintaining high standards and expectations. What magic! My youngest has a far different personality and find the acrobatics class her jam. It's so well-run, even during Covid. I appreciate Katie and her team for keeping arts alive. THANK YOU! read more

Katie's Dance Studio & Company - June 2020 Recital - Dance Studios Near Me - El Cerrito, California

We are so grateful to Katie for her amazing dance studio. Our daughter absolutely loves this class and she breaks out her dance moves at home and we dance to music videos on YouTube. We even dress up. It's awesome. Keep up the good work. read more

My daughter has been attending for almost 2 years and I couldn't be happier with her progress or dance teachers. We moved here from LA a couple years ago and I was concerned I wouldn't be able to find her as good of a studio as we had back home. After reading some recommendations (and some bad reviews, too) and after a friend mentioned she and her son loved the studio and the owner, we tried it. Instruction - SUPERB. Class atmosphere - FUN. Studio space - OK - could be bigger given the number of students attending here. VIBE - a casual and down-to-earth neighborhood business. I HIGHLY recommend, without reservation. As a former dancer myself and a parent of a kid who loves music & movement, I urge you to give this studio a try. It's a gem - kids learn & have fun. The fact that it produces a # of professional dancers & places in lots of competitions is nice, but secondary in my book to the fun mix of art, fitness, and learning that goes on here. read more

Katie's Dance Studio & Company - View of main studio during beginner's jazz & tap class. - Dance Studios Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Pros- -Justin, the instructor for my adult/beginning hip-hop class, is really good and fun -All the other students are super friendly and they provide a comfortable environment -It's a fairly small class and you can get one on one attention from the instructor Cons- -Classes are only 45 minutes for $13 which is decent but i wouldn't mind paying an extra dollar or two for the full hour or 1.5 hr long class, like how most classes are at other studios read more

Justin is an amazing dance instructor! So talented and patient! I can't say enough nice things about him. Overall, Katie 's Dance Studio gives kids a strong dance foundation and really makes dancing a joy (no barking instructors!) On the flip side, the studio is a bit too small-not enough room in the waiting room (not comfortable for parents) and there's not really an access to the bathroom for us parents. If they could expand the entire studio, it would be wonderful. Also, I just wished it was just more organized-there needs to be a full time staff member there to answer questions, the phones, etc. read more

My daughter started summer classes with them at the age of 3. We gave it a try for another two years and ended up at with the same conclusion:The most terrible experience. The teachers are rude and they don't put any effort to make classes a bit fun or entertaining for the little kids. My daughter sometimes had her moments and didn't want to practice, so they let her sit until the class was over. Not to mention the very dirty, overcrowded and chaotic environment. I will never take my daughter back there, terrible atmosphere for little kids. read more

I have been here one time and that will be the last time I go this place. I use to dance at Broadway Rhythm in Rodeo and occasionally we would dance at Katie's. One of the teachers would teach at Katie's. at BR the class was only about 4-5 people. At Katie's , it was like 20-25 people! We barely had space and everyone thought they were better than others which was very uncomfortable. The teacher was strict as always and didn't make the class fun. On top of that she bug me for like 20 minutes before the class asking for my payment and I told her a million times that I paid for my class back at BR. Ugh it was so annoying , the class sucked , space was tight, just not a good experience here at all. Would not recommend!!!!! read more

Katie's has been in business for over 40 years, and it shows (in a good way!). Somehow in this small, 2-room studio Katie and her staff of talented teachers manage to create a large number of incredible dancers, and just as importantly, decent human beings. The staff requires good behavior, during class and at all functions. From age 3 1/2 to 70+, anyone can learn how to dance here--ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop... It's fun, friendly, and the talent is impressive. Only drawback--the studio itself is small, and the waiting room is tiny. But they manage, and the kids don't mind a bit. If you or your child wants to dance, hop on over to Katie's. read more

It wasn't our cup of tea. The physical space was difficult to manage (very cramped dusty waiting area, overcrowded and chaotic between classes, in general very run-down/cluttered facility), the instructors we experienced didn't seem terribly enthusiastic, communication practices not very user-friendly and stuck in the last century, and my daughter just wasn't engaged by the experience even though she LOVES to dance and we gave it a very long try. This is a more "serious" dance studio with accompanying "culture" (four-year-olds in bikinis wearing makeup at recital time) and a crazy-complicated end-of-year event (complete with $50 costume you have to buy 6 months ahead of time). Seems like they do a good business, but in hindsight, a smaller, more mellow dance class would have been more our speed. read more

My daughter spends a lot of time dancing and was so excited to go to Katie's because a friend recommended it. The experience turned out to be pretty bad, for her and for us. Here's why: 1. The class was huge - this is 6 to 10 or 11 year olds. All of the more experienced (and older) girls got spots right in front of the mirror, right behind the teacher. My daughter was relegated to the back row off to the side in a row of about 14 kids. She couldn't never see what the teacher was demoing so she couldn't learn the steps. The teacher made no effort to walk around and show the kids who were new the steps. Even after I explained that the little ones off to the side and back could not see. My daughter spent a lot of time kind of lost, trying to figure out what to do. Finally I started filming the teacher from the door (not easy) so she could see the steps at home which was ridiculous. I was paying them to teach her! 2. The dress rehearsal is mandatory. It goes from something like 9 AM to 4PM. You have to be there the whole time or you don't get to participate in the recital. We were there. The whole time. You don't know exactly when you kid is going to do their dance so everybody kind of sits around. My daughter was so nervous about missing hers, she didn't want to go to the bathroom. Well guess what? Yes, she was six and she had an accident and while I was struggling to get her cleaned up (costume is mandatory or they don't get to participate either), her number went on stage to rehearse. Well, comes recital day, we paid an outrageous amount for the tickets for my family, got absolutely back row seats (weren't in the know about how early you have to get there to get anything resembling a decent seat). So there we are, with our video cameras and photo cameras all waiting when her number comes out. I'm trying to focus on her, and I couldn't find her and couldn't find her and finally I realize she's not on the stage. Well guess what? She didn't get to dance that dance because, even though she spend the entire day at the dress rehearsal, she missed one of her two dances. She was six! Six! We paid for the costume, the tickets, and spent all of that time only to have her excluded from her dance! Who makes a six year old spend all day waiting to rehearse two short little numbers? I am never, ever taking her back there and recommend you don't either. There is a whole atmosphere of snobbery and "seriousness" that just detracts from the experience and joy of dancing for a little kid. Who would do that to a six year old! read more

Tucked away in El Cerrito is a gold mine - Katie's Dance Studio. My son attended Katie's for eight years and it was a great experience for him. He received excellent training in jazz, tap, ballet and acrobatics. All the teachers are top-level and you cannot receive better training anywhere else in the Bay Area. If you decide to enroll your child at Katie's, he or she will enjoy the experience of learning proper dance technique, while having a great time in a loving environment. read more

My daughter's have been dancing at Katie's for eight years and we absolutely love it! Katie's is not only a dance studio, but a place for kids to learn discipline, to work together and most importantly have fun! Most of the teacher's were actually students of Katie and really carry on her style of teaching. It does not matter whether your child is a serious dancer or just wants to have fun, Katie's provides both opportunities. Katie is very well known in the dance community as teaching superior technique in all types of dance. The class sizes are fairly small so your child receives one on one attention. The studio has an overall friendly down to earth feeling. The parents are very helpful and offer new comers informatoin and guidance. There is a show one time per year where the students are given the opportunity to show case what they have learned. My daughter has flourished at the studio! If you are thinking of enrolling your child in dance, try Katie's! You will be very pleased! read more